Pinoy ultra-marathoner completes Middle East run

ABS-CBN News

Cesar passes by the iconic Burj Al Arab along Jumeirah public beach. Photo grabbed from Facebook

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino ultra-marathoner Cesar Guarin completed the seventh of his 18-stage global run by running across the Middle East in 2013.

Guarin’s first run early last year covered majority of the Middle East -- or a total of 932 kilometers in 32 days. He completed the second run in December 2013, covering another 611 kilometers in the UAE in 21 days.

Guarin, dubbed as the “father of ultra-marathon,” passed through Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Filipino said that through the run, he established a deeper connection with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) there.

“I’ve always wanted to do a Middle East Run,” he said. “We have several millions of kababayans out there working to provide a better future for their families and in turn they are able to help support our country’s economy. For me, they are our modern-day heroes, my inspiration for undertaking a tribute run for the global Filipino.”

During the run, Guarin took time off to share his message of thanks to OFWs during weekends.

He also encouraged them and locals to get into sports, teaming up with Filipino sports communities and the Ministry of Sports to promote running and other sports through "fun runs" as a way to encourage health and fitness, teamwork, competitiveness and friendship among the communities.

His global run is supported by Cebu Pacific.

The airline’s general manager for long-haul division Alex Reyes, also a triathlete, even joined Guarin in his run from Jebel Ali to Al Barsha in the UAE.

Guarin’s next target will be the 2,500-km North America Run (Stage 8 of the Global Run), where another three to four million Filipino migrants and OFWs are based.

“Yes, the Filipino is worth running for,” he said. “Para sa Pilipino, tatakbuhin ko ang buong mundo (For the Filipino, I will run around the world)!”